Tag: Small Biz

Small businesses are doing amazing things in communities across the country. Not only are their owners ambitious, passionate and incredibly driven people, but small businesses also are driving the resurgence of our economy. In fact, according to the SBA, SMBs are responsible for more than half of the nation’s jobs and account for 54 percent of U.S. sales. There are great stories behind every one of these small businesses, and Microsoft wants to hear them.

We’ve recently launched the Microsoft Small Business Contest for entrepreneurs and small business owners to share their experiences. From now until January 11, SMB owners can submit a two-minute video describing their beginnings, successes, or even challenges, for a chance to win $20,000. Check out the Microsoft For Work Facebook page for more details, and follow the conversation via Twitter using the hashtag #MSSmallBizContest.

Need inspiration for your video? Entrepreneur and small business expert Ramon Ray is rooting for you, watch this as well as our own video about the contest below.

Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that provides free software, support and visibility to help startups succeed. The three-year program is free of charge and gives startups software, support and visibility.

It is easy when you are a large company to employ a technology department or hire an outside consulting firm to build you a mobile app. It is more difficult if you are a startup or small business. At times, the startups and small businesses do not have the luxury to outsource a build for an app. Even more, they might not have the time to do it. So how does a startup or small business build an app with no time, no money and little effort?

When you publish a Windows / Windows Phone app, you are a publisher. Software publishers are entrepreneurs; you are investing time and sometimes money to create software and get it in front of users. Entrepreneurs are startups – new companies, even if it’s only you as the sole proprietor. And for software startups, Microsoft has BizSpark.